The proposed stadium at Falmer would have seats for 22,000 fans

MP Hugh Robertson visited the club on Tuesday to inspect its plans for a stadium at Falmer and its Football in the Community programme.

The lengthy public inquiry into whether Brighton can build the stadium is due to re-open in the New Year.

Mr Robertson said he would be pressing Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for a decision in favour of the scheme.

'Great club'

Brighton and Hove Albion moved out of their last permanent home, the Goldstone Ground, in 1997 when the site was sold by the then chairman, Bill Archer.

They played for two years at Gillingham, before returning to Brighton to stage home games at the Withdean Stadium, an athletics stadium with a 7,000 capacity.

The club wants to build a 22,000-seater ground at Falmer, on the outskirts of Brighton.

Brighton's current home at Withdean has a 7,000 capacity

The plans have been opposed by some locals but supported by the local council and MPs.

When the Labour Party held its annual conference at the Brighton Centre in September, about 4,000 football fans, including many non-Brighton supporters, marched past the venue to urge the government to approve the Falmer scheme.

On Tuesday Mr Robertson said: "The club needs a decision, and needs it soon.

"As soon as the planning inspector reports on the re-opened inquiry, John Prescott must make a swift decision and I shall be pressing him for one in favour of Falmer.

"This great club and its fans must end the season knowing what the future is, we cannot have any more fudge from John Prescott."